Definition: And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 43:7. It's a really important and complex passage, but I’ll try to explain it in plain language. Here’s the gist: This verse is about God’s plan for how He will dwell with Israel – specifically, with the people of Judah – for eternity. It’s saying that God is establishing a special, permanent place specifically for Him to live and be honored within their community. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “Ezekiel 43:7” - This refers to a specific passage in the Book of Ezekiel, written by the prophet Ezekiel. It’s a very important part of his prophetic message. “And he said unto me, Son of man…” – This is a way of saying “God spoke to me.” Ezekiel was a prophet, and this verse indicates that God is revealing something significant. “…the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet…” - This uses figurative language. "Throne" means a position of authority and leadership. “Soles of my feet” refers to a special, sacred area – like where his feet would be placed. It’s suggesting that this is his designated spot. “…where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever…” - This means God intends to live in this place forever, as a constant and enduring presence. “The children of Israel” refers to the Israelites – the people God chose to be his chosen ones. “and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, [neither] they, nor their kings…” - This is the most important part. It’s saying that God will protect His name (His holiness) from being used for evil. Let's break this down further: “my holy name” – This refers to God's name, which is associated with purity and righteousness. “…defile…” - This means to be contaminated or stained by something impure. It’s like being marked or damaged. “[neither] they, nor their kings…” - This emphasizes that this protection applies to everyone within the Israelite community – both leaders and ordinary people. It's a promise of divine protection. “…nor by their whoredom…” - "Whoredom" means anything that is sinful or immoral, like engaging in harmful activities for pleasure. "...nor by the carcases of their kings..." - This refers to the rulers and leaders of Israel, suggesting they are not immune to this protection. So, what’s the overall message? God is establishing a special, permanent place specifically for Him to live with His people, protecting His name from being used for evil. It's a promise of divine authority and security for the Israelites. It speaks to God's sovereignty and his desire to be honored within his chosen community. Important Note: This verse is complex and has been interpreted in different ways throughout history. It’s often seen as a reminder of God's holiness and a covenant between Him and His people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific historical context (like the time Ezekiel lived)? Discuss what this verse might mean for modern Christians?